OF THE LATE CUCUMBER. 



47 



Let a trench be dug the size of the frame, 

 about eighteen inches deep, and if the soil is 

 light and rich that is thrown out, the bed may 

 be formed of it ; but if a strong loam it will not 

 answer the purpose. 



As soon as the bed is made tread it down 

 well, make it even, and let it have about six 

 inches fall from the back to the front ; then place 

 on the boxes and light ; and when the heat 

 rises, admit from one to two inches of air. In 

 about a week it will be necessary to put the 

 mould in for the hills in the proportion of a 

 barrow-full to a light. This must be levelled 

 about an inch all over the bed to prevent the 

 rank steam from injuring the plants. On the 

 following day they may be ridged out, when the 

 mould must be pressed with the hands close 

 down round the roots of the plants; and water 

 applied, which should be at the same time 

 sprinkled regularly all over the bed. Add now 

 plenty of air, night and day, until the bed 

 becomes perfectly sweet, which is generally the 

 case in about a week ; after which they may be 

 shut down at night. 



